Shaheed Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh ‘Goldy’ (Part 1)

Source: Fatehnama, translated by Khalsa Alliance Sevadars

The number of accounts of bravery by those of young age found in the Sikh history cannot be found in the history of the rest of the world. The struggle, started by Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale against the oppressive Hindu government contains the accounts of great martyrs of youthful age who accomplished many great tasks. Of these young martyrs, the name of Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh 'Goldy' is one of the most outstanding and unforgettable.

Childhood

Bhai Sahib was born on August 29, 1972 to Bibi Kashmir Kaur and eminent journalist from the city of Amritsar, Sardar Mohinder Singh. His family was doing very well financially during his childhood. During his early years, Goldy had been very fond of playing with toy weapons. At that time, Goldy perhaps had not known that he would have to play with these very same weapons but in their real form. Arvinderjeet Singh also had two younger brothers by the names of Kuljinder Singh and Apvinderjeet Singh. Goldy had obtained his primary education from Sultanvind Village School. Then until the 10th grade, he attended the eminent school in Amritsar named Sant Singh Sukha Singh Senior Secondary School, Mal Road. Goldy completed grade 11 and 12 at the Government Senior Secondary School in Town Hall, Amritsar and for his college education, he enrolled at Khalsa College Amritsar.

During that time, the state of Punjab was facing the wrath of the Indian Army in the form of Operation Blue Star. Even after Operation Blue Star, the state of Punjab still had to face the rage of the Indian Government's security forces. During Operation Blue Star, Goldy was about 11 or 12 years of age. At the age of 12, Bhai Avinderjeet Singh was given the gift of Amrit from the Panj Piyarey.

Joining the Movement

Operation Blue Star had hurt the sentiments of all Sikhs worldwide. Goldy's psyche was also very deeply affected by the events that took place during Operation Blue Star, and he was disturbed to hear that many Hindus had celebrated the attack on Harmandir Sahib. The events after the assassination of Indira Gandhi had just added fuel to the fire that was burning inside of Arvinderjeet Singh. After hearing of Sikh women being raped and Gurdwaras being desecrated all across India by fundamentalist Hindus, Goldy's anger jumped to a completely new level. Goldy posted some handmade posters on the doors of known Hindu fundamentalist, which read:

"The Sikhs are not dead, they are still alive… …and you will find out about this very soon… …we will take account of every life taken…"

While attending school, Goldy began making contacts with the Sikh freedom fighters. One eminent freedom fighter said to Goldy, "Mohinder Singh is already doing enough seva…what do you want from these things…and how old are you anyway…?"

Goldy left that meeting place without saying a word, but later he wrote a letter to the above-mentioned Sikh freedom fighter that said:

"Who are you to put age limits on who can join the struggle…? What age were Guru Gobind Singh Ji's sons when they became martyred…?"

Arvinderjeet Singh's entire family had the same viewpoints of Sant Jarnail Singh, yet they did not agree with him joining the Sikh freedom struggle. Once his mom said:

"…Goldy, you are so good looking… and the army is now stationed in Punjab; let a few days pass by…"

Goldy's swift response was, "…did you give me this handsome appearance? Why are you afraid to give it back to the one who gave it to me…?"

He would always say, "I had offered my head to Guru Sahib at the age of 12 when I took Amrit, now it is Guru Sahib's wish when he will accept my head..."

Now Goldy was secretly doing a lot in support for the Sikh freedom struggle, but he was still in contact with his family. Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh's nickname within the circle of freedom fighters was Bhai Mehtab Singh Dheera 'Amritsari', Lt. General 'Khalistan Liberation Army'.

Once Goldy's mother brought some parshad in the form of mango slices from Baba Takhur Singh and handed them to Goldy saying:

"Here take this, may God give you good sense…" Giving those mango slices back to his mother, Goldy said: "You take them! May God give you some confidence and may you happily send your son to join the struggle…"

Later Goldy's mother began talking of having an Akhand Path at their home and he put forward some questions to her:

"What is the point of having an Akhand Paath…do you follow the message of any Shabads…? Tell me to this day which message of any Shabad have you followed…?"

His mother began thinking. Goldy then asked, "Have you listened to the tapes of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji…?"

"…Yes…" his mother answered.

"So many Singhs are being martyred…have you sent your son…?" Goldy asked. His mother had no answer for these questions.

Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh would often say that Sant Jarnail Singh Ji's soul is probably asking,"...what kind of people are these Sikhs, they still have not brought Bhajan Lal 'Bhajna' to justice."

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